DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects can not only enhance your lawn but can also recommend cost-effective upgrades and help develop a long-term maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that also provide lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Jackson Landscaping Company
Consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a company's experience when choosing a landscaping company. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before selecting a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services might include mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing. Some companies provide additional pest control services and tree removal.
You need a full-service landscaping company for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, or retaining walls. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaping company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider might employ the following certified staff members:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Read positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mostly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is an important consideration during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should use native plant life (such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. A detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use a quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Jackson
Landscaping in Jackson generally costs between $20 and $30 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final cost. For larger yards, companies might charge by the acre. Bigger projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,663 - $15,550 |
Landscaping Design | $1,501 - $2,001 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $389 - $2,334 |
Landscaping Mulch | $23 - $117 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $78 - $1,556 |
Planting Trees | $204 - $340 |
Sodding | $39 - $47 |
Swimming Pool | $29,559 - $77,787 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Jackson
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
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What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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